Double sided soccer man

ABSTRACT

A game table including first and second substantially parallel player sides extending along a length direction, first and second substantially parallel goal sides extending along a width direction and a game playing surface defined within the player and goal sides. The game table includes at least one handle assembly connected to the game table. The handle assembly includes at least one turning rod carrying at least one player member, and a handle engaged with the turning rod whereby turning the handle operates to rotate the player to strike a playing piece. The player member includes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body extending longitudinally therebetween.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present system relates to game tables and, in particular, a tablesoccer game table with rotating players having two foot portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Watching and participating in sporting events and games is a popularpastime for many people. However, due to time, space and the number ofpeople needed for most such games, it is not always practical to arrangea full-scale game at any particular time. Moreover, due to the skill andphysical conditioning required, plus the potential injuries from manysuch games, individuals are not always prepared to participate in afull-scale game. As a spin-off from full-scale games, recreational gametables such as for table soccer (sometimes called foosball), air hockeyor field hockey have become popular. Game tables allow the participantsto simulate a full-sized game with fewer people, less space and in aprotected environment. Such games can, for example, be set up inbasements, garages, game rooms, backyards, gyms, party facilities orotherwise and are often played with two or four people.

There have been various approaches to designing and constructing gametables for table soccer and table hockey. Typical table soccer gametables are designed so that the table users spin handles to cause theplayer pieces to spin with the handle rod. Additionally, the table userscan push or pull the handles to cause the player pieces to move back andforth across a width of the table. Certain table hockey game tables aredesigned so that the players are moveable along a track and arerotatable by a handle rod positioned underneath the player pieces.

An improved game table is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a game table includes first and second substantiallyparallel player sides along a length direction, first and secondsubstantially parallel goal sides along a width direction and a gameplaying surface defined within the player sides and the goal sides. Thegame table includes at least one handle assembly connected to the firstplayer side of the game table and extending to the second player side.The handle assembly includes at least one turning rod carrying at leastone player member for striking a game playing piece. The handle assemblyfurther includes a handle engaged with said turning rod whereby turningthe handle operates to rotate the player member. The player memberincludes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a bodyextending longitudinally therebetween.

In another embodiment, a game table includes first and secondsubstantially parallel player sides, first and second substantiallyparallel goal sides and a game playing surface. The player sides extendalong a length of the table, and the goal sides extend along a width ofthe table. Each of the goal sides defines a goal. The game tableincludes at least two handle assemblies including a first handleassembly and a second handle assembly, both of which are connected tothe game table. Each of the handle assemblies includes a handle, atleast one rod extending along a rod axis and engaged with the handle,and at least one player member positioned on the rod. The player memberis configured to spin with rotation of the rod about the rod axis tostrike a game playing piece and urge the playing piece towards a goal.The first handle assembly is connected to the first player side andextends through and beyond the second player side. The second handleassembly is connected to the second player side and extends through andbeyond the first player side. Each of the handle assemblies isconfigured to move from the first player side to the second player sideabove the game playing surface in a plane substantially parallel to thegame playing surface. Each of the handle assemblies is configured totranslate the corresponding player member across the width of the tableabove the game playing surface by moving the handle toward and away froma player side. The player member includes a first foot portion, a secondfoot portion, and a body extending longitudinally therebetween.

In yet another embodiment, a player member for use with a game tablehaving a game playing surface is provided. The player member includes afirst foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body extendinglongitudinally therebetween. The combined weight of the first footportion and the second foot portion is at least about 60% of the overallweight of the player member. This weight distribution is typicallyaccomplished by virtue of the body portion including at least one gapand/or by the body portion being less dense than the foot portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game table, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a player member for use in a game tableof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein arecontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a game tableis provided with improved playing characteristics. In the illustratedexample, the game table is for the game of soccer (also calledfoosball). The illustrated player member includes two feet portions atopposing ends and separated by a body portion. In preferred embodiments,the feet portions are heavier and/or are denser than the body portion,thereby allowing the foot portions to strike a game playing piece withmore power as compared to a player member that is not “foot heavy.”

A standard game table includes a playing surface, held over a supportsurface, such as a floor, by a support structure such as one or morelegs or pedestals. The playing surface is often rectangular or round,but may be made in various geometric shapes. The playing surface is alsotypically substantially flat. In certain embodiments, the playingsurface includes elevated or humped corner areas to keep the game piece(typically a ball or puck) in motion. In many instances, the playingsurface is surrounded by a peripheral rail, which typically functions toretain game pieces within the area of the playing surface. The gamepieces of the present invention are usable with various types of gamesand/or game tables, which are considered conventional for purposes ofthe present invention and are not described herein in detail. Gametables may also include game status indicators, such as score displaysand timer displays, mounted to the game tables.

A soccer game table generally includes cross-bars with mounted soccerplayers. The soccer table game surface has a generally polygonal shape,but may include semicircular shaped corner cut-outs or contouredportions which cover, create or allow clearance for corner rampscommonly used in certain game tables to prevent the game piece fromstopping outside the effective playing area. The discussion herein ofgame table 20 generally applies to hockey game tables and soccer gametables.

One embodiment of a game table 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Game table20 is generally a standard style of game table including legs 22supporting a table bed 26. Table bed 26, shown in FIG. 1 in a generallyrectangular shape, is the primary superstructure of game table 20. Itshould be appreciated that table bed 26 can include various shapes aswould generally occur to one skilled in the art, including circular,square, or polygonal as examples. Legs 22 are standard supportstructures for a table, and may, for example, be four corner legs or oneor more central pedestals supporting the table bed 26. In preferredembodiments, table 20 includes a frame 28 mounted to the table bed 26.Frame 28 surrounds and extends above an upper support surface 30 aheight sufficient to block escape of a playing piece from the table. Theframe can extend up from the table bed and upper support surface asufficient height as would occur to one skilled in the art, as a designchoice for a particular game. Frame 28 forms first and secondsubstantially parallel player sides 60 along a length direction L aswell as first and second substantially parallel goal sides 62 along awidth direction W. Each goal side includes a goal 42. One or more playersides 60 can also include a means for introducing a game playing pieceonto the game playing surface 40. Such a means is illustrativelyprovided by opening 63 located at a point substantially near the middleof a player side 60. Frame 28 can be a standard frame made of metal,wood, laminate, particleboard, MDF or plastic, and can optionallyinclude rubber or felt bumpers as desired.

Game playing surface 40 is configured to be integral with or mounted totable bed 26 and includes a shape which matches upper support surface30. In the illustrated embodiment, game playing surface 40 includes agenerally rectangular shape. However, it should be appreciated that thegame playing surface can have various shapes, including circular,square, or polygonal as examples. Game playing surface 40 extends acrossthe area defined within frame 28 to form a playing area. The gameplaying surface 40 is mounted to the frame or extends underneath thelower edges of the frame to eliminate gaps. The game playing surface 40may rest in place or can be attached using standard methods such asadhesive, friction, screws, bolts or other permanent or removableconnectors. The game playing surface 40 is appropriately sized andconfigured for the desired game. Game playing surface 40 is preferablyan appropriately shaped piece of material configured to be mounted overupper support surface 30. Preferred materials for the game surface are adurable plastic (such as a thick polyethylene, Plexiglass®, orFormica®), wood or glass.

Game table 20 further includes railings 50 as part of or positionedabove frame 28. In a preferred embodiment, there are railings 50disposed on at least two longitudinal sides of table 20, parallel to alongitudinal length L of the table. Near the railings 50 are userhandles 52. Each user handle is operably connected to a rod 54. Incertain preferred embodiments, handles 52 include a piece of cushioningor gripping material, for example rubber or foam, around an end portionof rod 54. In certain embodiments, handle 52 is composed of a plastic orsynthetic material. In this example, the rods have a circularcross-section. Additionally, each rod 54 can carry one or more playermember(s) 57. In the illustrated embodiment, each rod 54 nearest a goal42 carries three players 57. Moving towards the middle of game table 20from each rod 54 nearest a goal 42, the next rods 54 carry two players57, the next rods 54 carry three players 57, and the middle rods 54carry five players 57. It will be understood, however, that a rod 54 caninclude any number of player members 57 and is not limited to theillustrated embodiments in FIG. 1. Handle 52, rod 54 and playermember(s) 57 together form a handle assembly.

The players 57 can be exchangeable or fixed at pre-selected positions.If exchangeable, a player 57 could be replaced with an alternativeplayer, or an alternative player replaced with a player 57, as desired.An alternative player may include, for example, a player including ahead portion and a foot portion as generally known in the art ratherthan two foot portions.

The rods 54 preferably carry each player member 57 near the midsectionof the player's body. In certain embodiments, all or some of the rodscan be arranged in pairs and there can be two adjacent handles on thesame side of the table, in certain positions, such as near the goal 42,that the user on a particular side of the table would be defending. Inother embodiments, the handles can be on alternating sides of the tableor in any other configuration desired. Game table 20 can also includeone or more mechanical or electronic indicators. Score indicator 44 isillustratively shown on railing 50 above goal 42, but can be secured togame table 20 at any location. Although not illustrated, game table 20can further include a game playing piece (e.g., ball) retrieval means.Such a retrieval means can be positioned at any location on game table20 as generally known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, agame playing piece retrieval means can be located under each goal 42 forretrieving a game playing piece after a goal is scored.

In certain preferred embodiments, players 57 are movable along a widthof the game table between the player sides along a width direction W.Width direction W is preferably generally perpendicular to longitudinallength L. Handle 52 with rod 54 can be moved away from railing 50,thereby moving the players 57 operably connected to the respective rod54 along a width of the table. When a rod 54 is extended or retracted,the players 57 are moved widthwise but not lengthwise from one playerside 60 toward another player side 60 through channels 58. Generally,channels 58 will be sized slightly larger than a rod 54 such that a rod54 can be easily moved in a horizontal direction along width direction Wbut not in a direction along longitudinal length L. However, in certainalternate embodiments, channels 58 can be sized such that each rod 54 ismovable in a respective channel 58 to allow for pivoting of the rods andplayers about a pivot point, as described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/623,574, filed Jan. 16, 2007. In such embodiments, thechannels may be of varying length along a longitudinal axis L of a gametable.

Referring generally to FIG. 1, the use and operation of the game table20 is as follows. One or more users of table 20 move players 57 viahandles 52 in attempting to place a game piece (not shown) into goal 42.A user rotates handle 52, thereby spinning rod 54 which operates tocontrollably spin players 57 in a spinning plane substantiallyperpendicular to game playing surface 40. The spinning of players 57 isdriven through the midline in that the rod 54 is disposed at an equaldistance from each foot portion.

In some embodiments, the railings, bar, and players can be suppliedseparately, for example, in a kit to be retrofit onto an existing tabletop or smooth surface, eliminating the need to cut openings in thesurface. Alternately, a portable frame and railing system can be used,which can be selectively placed on any surface, for example a table orfloor, to define a playing area. In some embodiments, the portablesystem may be placed on or removed from the surface as desired.

Turning now to FIG. 2, shown is an example player member for use in agame table, such as game table 20. Player 57 preferably includes a firstfoot portion 32, a second foot portion 34, and a body portion 70extending longitudinally therebetween such that foot portions 32 and 34are generally about 180 degrees from one another. Body portion 70 isconfigured to receive rod 54 generally at its midline R through hole 64as illustrated in FIG. 1. Player member 57 is held in place to spin withrod 54 for example with a set screw.

A player member 57 having two foot portions has certain advantages overalternative player members. For example, player member 57 includes afoot portion at each end where each foot portion has a front game piececontacting surface 36 and a rear surface 38 opposite to game piececontacting surface 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front game piece contacting surface 36 of firstfoot portion 32 and the front game piece contacting surface 36 of secondfoot portion 34 are arranged such that at most only 180 degrees ofspinning is required in order to strike a game playing piece. In certainembodiments, rear surface 38 can also be used to strike a game playingpiece. In this regard, any surface 36 or 38 can be configured to strikea game playing piece. It will be understood, however, that when a playermember 57 is in a vertical position with respect to a game table, theplayer member 57 will include at least a first foot portion 32 having agame piece contacting surface 36 facing one goal side 62 and a secondfoot portion 34 having a game piece contacting surface 36 facing theother goal side 62. Preferably, a game piece contacting surface 36 willhave a non-smooth texture to allow for better gripping of a game playingpiece.

With respect to the foot portions 32 and 34 of player member 57, it isdesirable for the combined weight of these portions to be heavier thanthe body portion 70. For example, the weight of player member 57 can beabout 0.05 to about 4 ounces. At least about 50% of this weight will bedistributed in the foot portions 32 and 34. Preferably, at least about60%, 70%, 80%, and even at least about 90% of the weight of playermember 57 will be distributed in foot portions 32 and 34. In certainembodiments, this can be accomplished by preparing a body portion 70that includes one or more gaps 62. One or more gaps 62 can be created atany location along the length of body portion 70, including at either orboth sides adjacent to a foot portion as shown in FIG. 2. In otherembodiments, body portion 70 can be constructed of a lighter material orcan be less dense as compared to the foot portions 32 and 34. Forexample, player member 57 can have an overall density of about 0.01 toabout 1 lb/in³. The density of the foot portions 32 and 34 can be atleast about twice as dense as the body portion 70. Preferably, thedensity of the foot portions 32 and 34 can be at least about 2.5 times,3 times, 3.5 times, or even 4 times the density of the body portion 70.

Player members 57 can be constructed of any suitable material. Suitablematerials are typically hard and include, for example, metal or plastic(e.g., Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic). The type ofmaterial chosen can be selected so as to dictate the speed at which agame is played. Generally, the harder the material selected to constructa player member 57 the faster a game will be played (i.e., the faster agame playing piece will move throughout a game playing surface oncestruck by a player member). The foot portions and body portion can beconstructed of the same or different material.

In preferred embodiments, a player member 57 is formed from a mold as abalanced, single piece; however, a player member 57 can be constructedas more than one piece and subsequently assembled. Body portion 70 canalso include a ball channel 72 to allow for aerial shots involving agame playing piece, if desired. Such a channel can be formed as part ofthe mold used to make a player member 57 or can be added to a playermember 57 after player member 57 has been constructed. In oneembodiment, ball channel 72 is defined by a gap 62. Similarly, thenon-smooth texture of a contacting surface 36 of player member 57 can beformed as part of a mold or can be added to a contacting surface 36 oncea player member 57 is formed. In embodiments where a player member isformed from a mold, it is typically done so with ABS plastic using aninjection molding process as generally known in the art.

Certain shots can be performed by a present player member by virtue ofthe player member only requiring 180 degrees of rotation in order tocontact a game playing piece. For example, the “Air Slam” can beperformed by moving a game playing piece into a ball channel 72 of afirst foot portion 32 of a player member 57. The rod 54 carrying theplayer member 57 can then be rotated quickly in a counterclockwisedirection such that the game playing piece drops from the channel 72 ofthe first foot portion 32 and is hit by a surface 38 of a second footportion 34 before the game playing piece comes into contact with thegame playing surface 40. Another shot that can be performed by thepresent player member is the “Power Slam.” Such a shot involves pinninga game playing piece between a surface 36 of a first foot portion 32 ofa player member 57 and the game playing surface 40. The rod 54 carryingthe player member 57 is rotated quickly in a counterclockwise directionsuch that the game playing piece is contacted by surface 38 of a secondfoot portion 34. A “Power Back” shot can be performed by contacting agame playing piece in a clockwise direction with the surface 36 of afirst foot portion 32 of a player member 57. The rod 54 carrying theplayer member 57 is rotated quickly in a counterclockwise direction suchthat the game playing piece is contacted by surface 38 of a second footportion 34. In another embodiment, a “Pull Slap” can be performed bymoving a rod 54 carrying a player member 57 widthwise to contact a gameplaying piece with the adjacent side of surface 38 of a first footportion 32 of the player member 57. The rod 54 is then rotated quicklyin a counterclockwise direction so that the moving game playing piece iscontacted by surface 38 of the second foot portion 34.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

1. A game table, comprising: a game table including first and secondsubstantially parallel player sides along a length direction, first andsecond substantially parallel goal sides along a width direction and agame playing surface defined within said player sides and said goalsides, wherein each of said goal sides includes a goal; and at least onehandle assembly connected to said first player side of said game tableand extending to said second player side, wherein said handle assemblyincludes at least one rod carrying at least one player member forstriking a game playing piece, wherein said handle assembly furtherincludes a handle engaged with said rod whereby turning said handleoperates to spin said player member; and wherein said player memberincludes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body portionextending longitudinally therebetween; wherein the combined weight ofsaid first foot portion and said second foot portion is at least about60% of the overall weight of the player member.
 2. The game table ofclaim 1, wherein the combined weight of said first foot portion and saidsecond foot portion is at least about 70% of the overall weight of theplayer member.
 3. The game table of claim 2, wherein the body portiondefines at least one gap.
 4. The game table of claim 1, wherein saidbody portion of said player member is engaged with said rod, and whereinsaid handle assembly is configured to translate said player member alongthe width direction above said game playing surface by moving saidhandle toward and away from said player side.
 5. The game table of claim1, wherein said first foot portion and said second foot portion includeat least one contacting surface for striking a game playing piece. 6.The game table of claim 5, wherein the at least one contacting surfaceof the first foot portion and the second foot portion comprises anon-smooth texture.
 7. The game table of claim 1, wherein said playermember comprises a ball channel to allow for aerial shots of a gameplaying piece.
 8. A game table, comprising: a game table including firstand second substantially parallel player sides, first and secondsubstantially parallel goal sides and a game playing surface, saidplayer sides extending along a length of said table and said goal sidesextending along a width of said table, wherein each of said goal sidesdefines a goal; and at least two handle assemblies including a firsthandle assembly and a second handle assembly, wherein each of saidhandle assemblies is connected to said game table, each of said handleassemblies including a handle, at least one rod extending along a rodaxis and engaged with said handle, and at least one player memberpositioned on said rod, wherein said player member is configured to spinwith said rod about said rod axis to strike a playing piece and urge theplaying piece towards a goal; wherein said first handle assembly isconnected to said first player side and extends though and beyond saidsecond player side, wherein said second handle assembly is connected tosaid second player side and extends through and beyond said first playerside, wherein each of said handle assemblies is configured to move fromsaid first player side toward said second player side above said gameplaying surface in a plane substantially parallel to said game playingsurface; wherein each of said handle assemblies is configured totranslate said corresponding player member across the width of saidtable above said game playing surface by moving said handle toward andaway from a player side; and wherein the at least one player member ofeach handle assembly includes a first foot portion, a second footportion, and a body portion extending longitudinally therebetween;wherein said first foot portion includes a front game piece contactingsurface facing said first goal side and said second foot portion has afront game piece contacting surface facing said second goal side whenthe player member is in a vertical position with respect to the gametable.
 9. The game table of claim 8, wherein the combined weight of saidfirst foot portion and said second foot portion is at least about 60% ofthe overall weight of the player member.
 10. The game table of claim 9,wherein the body portion defines at least one gap.
 11. The game table ofclaim 8, wherein said body portion of said player member is engaged withsaid rod, and wherein said handle assembly is configured to translatesaid player member along the width direction above said game playingsurface by moving said handle toward and away from said player side. 12.The game table of claim 8, wherein said first foot portion and saidsecond foot portion each include a rear contacting surface opposite tothe front game piece contacting surface for striking a game playingpiece.
 13. The game table of claim 12, wherein the front name piececontacting surface of each of the first foot portion and the second footportion comprises a non-smooth texture.
 14. The game table of claim 8,wherein said playing member comprises a ball channel to allow for aerialshots of a game playing piece.
 15. A player member for use with a gametable having a game playing surface, comprising: a first foot portion, asecond foot portion, and a body portion extending longitudinallytherebetween; wherein the combined weight of said first foot portion andsaid second foot portion is at least about 60% of the overall weight ofthe player member.
 16. The player member of claim 15, wherein said firstfoot portion and said second foot portion include a contacting surfacehaving a non-smooth texture.
 17. The player member of claim 15, whereinsaid member comprises a ball channel to allow for aerial shots of a gameplaying piece.
 18. The player member of claim 15, wherein said member ismolded as a balanced, single piece.
 19. The player member of claim 15,wherein the body portion defines at least one gap.
 20. The player memberof claim 19, wherein the body defines a gap adjacent said first footportion and a gap adjacent said second foot portion.